Haaretz: Saudi Channels Focus on Preventing Perceptions of Hamas Victory

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz has highlighted the coverage of Al Arabiya channel during the recent aggression on Gaza, noting that the channel operates as an alternative platform, distinct from the anti-Israel voices in the region. A particularly noteworthy aspect of this coverage was the hosting of the Israeli military spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, who is typically disregarded by the Arab viewers.

The newspaper noted that Al Arabiya, now based in Riyadh, sparked outrage among Arab viewers on June 19th when it hosted Hagari, who used the opportunity to criticize Hezbollah on air. This led some to label the channel as “Zionist Hebrew,” with others questioning if it was indeed an Israeli channel.

Haaretz suggests that this is part of a broader narrative, where the channel competes to shape collective consciousness in the Gulf states. The channel’s rise reflects the Saudi royal family’s efforts to position it as one of the most influential media outlets in the Arab world. Although initially part of the Saudi MBC Group, supported by the Hariri Group and other investors, Al Arabiya relocated from Dubai to Riyadh in 2021.

In February, the channel conducted an interview with Prince Turki al-Faisal, the former intelligence chief, discussing the prospects of normalization in the region. Additionally, after the Al-Aqsa Flood operation, Al Arabiya hosted an intense interview with Khaled Mashal, the exiled leader of Hamas, asking him questions that are rarely posed in the Arab world, including whether Hamas would apologize to Israeli civilians for the attack.

Israeli researcher Shaul Yanai commented that the channel’s operations align with the policy set by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to promote “moderate Islam” in the Kingdom and to eliminate anti-Semitism from media and education.

Orit Perlov, a researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies and a former advisor at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, noted that “this is not motivated by love for Israel or a desire to show that Israel is winning, but by an absolute hatred of political Islam. Al Arabiya serves as a counterbalance to Al Jazeera in shaping public awareness. The Saudi government fears trends that promote political Islam in the country, and therefore, they prevent any portrayal of Hamas as victorious over Israel in the Arab collective consciousness. Saudi citizens are not allowed to believe that the Muslim Brotherhood has won.”

Perlov added, “It is important to remember that they are balancing the narrative promoted by Al Jazeera. When Al Jazeera aired Abu Ubaida, Al Arabiya hosted the Israeli army spokesperson. The goal is to prevent a perception in Arab public opinion that is shaped solely by Hamas’s voice. Israel cooperates by conveying messages through the channel.”

Perlov pointed out that when Al Arabiya first appeared, Al Jazeera had almost complete control over the flow of information and the shaping of public opinion in the Arab world. There was a desire to compete with it and provide alternative narratives from the Saudis. In its early years, Al Arabiya struggled to become a significant source of news due to censorship by the Saudi government.

She continued, “However, Al Arabiya lacked the boldness that distinguished Al Jazeera, which particularly resonated with the youth. Over the years, the channel’s leadership took steps to improve its standing in the Arab world by diminishing Al Jazeera’s influence and becoming more critical of the Muslim Brotherhood, the Taliban, ISIS, and Iran.”

The newspaper highlighted that Saudi journalist Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed was the mastermind behind the channel’s image and content. His challenge was to nurture “a new kind of dialogue in the Arab world, creating spaces for moderate and liberal ideas,” as he described it.

Haaretz also noted that the channel produced programs similar to investigative shows broadcast in Israel, such as “Special Mission,” which has an Israeli counterpart called “The Fact.” These programs focused on “terrorism in Morocco and Libya and Turkey’s support for these groups,” as well as the program “Industry of Death,” which dealt with ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

With Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s dramatic rise to power after the ousting of his uncle, Mohammed bin Nayef, the channel has effectively become his media platform. Michal Yaari, a researcher on Gulf affairs from Ben-Gurion University in the Negev and the Open University, commented, “It was unprecedented for the king to appoint his son as crown prince without broad support from the royal family.” She added, “In this case, some family members were angry about the ousting, but Al Arabiya presented a different reality.”

Yaari referenced a video showing the crown prince kissing his uncle’s hand, noting, “It portrayed him as someone who deeply respects bin Nayef and was compelled to accept his decision to resign. This example shows that the channel is still far from true press freedom.”

Yanai added, “Al Arabiya plays a crucial role in echoing anti-terrorist messages. For bin Salman, it’s important to gain legitimacy as a leader, to unify the Arab world around him, and to create a united front against the Iranian enemy.”